What makes white dog hair turn red/pink?

elizavixen · Senior Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 683 Location: SC

And how do you fix it?

My dog's hair has turned pinkish (reddish in some areas) on their belly and around their mouth. My older dog has had it awhile but now the puppy is getting it. I bathe them semi-regularly (about 2 x a month ). Just wondering why it happens and if I can get it to turn white again.

4Dogsihave · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 2:50 am Post subject:

In my area we have red dirt which turns my husky red. Could this be the case in your area? Just wondering I am sure you would have thought of that already. Hope someone comes along with an idea!

lil96 · Super Senior Member Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 1276

elivixen what type dogs do you have? I have an AES mix and when I first got him he was all white no color at all, but it seems like everyone now and then he will get a new tiny "biscuit" colored spot on his back, but his stomach is pink, but the skin not the hair. It is weird bc most people who look at him only see white they don'T see these little patches I see! I guess I stare at him too much!

elizavixen · Senior Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 683 Location: SC

Its not the dirt.

They are St. Bernards. Their skin is pinkish too. I just can't figure out why it is turning the hair pink.

OneWolvesDream · Super Senior Member Joined: 10 Apr 2004 Posts: 1175

it could be the dog shampoo, when i clean dogs sometimes it has a chemical effect on the fur.

Sarge'smom · Senior Member Joined: 21 May 2004 Posts: 700

I know what your talking about. Light colored poodles get that. Usually starts around their mouth/face and paws. It looks like they are rusting! I've always wondered about that too. Anyone? Eh?

Jamiya · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 5593

Hmmm. I know black cats can "rust" and also white fur commonly turns yellow-y. Could it be diet related somehow? Or try a different shampoo? Do they really need to be washed that frequently?

Jamiya

GinaH · Super Senior Member Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 1377

My Pekingese is white on her belly and she has the same problem. But as soon as she gets a bath it goes away. So I am assuming it's just residue.

OneWolvesDream · Super Senior Member Joined: 10 Apr 2004 Posts: 1175

white poodles go brown.lol. umm yeah look at what your dog could be doing all day that could have an effect.

honeybears · Super Senior Member Plus Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 3637

Jake my yellow lab gets this in the summer except his is a rust color. The vet says it is caused by moisture and overgrowth of yeast from being in the water so much, come winter it goes away

honeybear

Sarge'smom · Senior Member Joined: 21 May 2004 Posts: 700

OK, from what I have been able to find out.... slober & diet are the culprits. Dirt too, depending upon your geographic location. Found a cool site at http://showdogs-l.com/index.htm that gives tons of show hints and they have a section called "SDL Coat Whitener Survey Results". Some interesting (some a little frightening!) hints for keeping white coated animals white.

OneWolvesDream · Super Senior Member Joined: 10 Apr 2004 Posts: 1175

wow, thats interesting.

Angie · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 4:19 pm Post subject:

http://showdogs-l.com/index.htm
maybe it work like this?

elizavixen · Senior Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 683 Location: SC

I guess it could be diet with my older dog (she gets Pedigree b/c it is the only stuff she'll eat) but the puppy right now is on his allergy elimination diet (ultra expensive) so I don't know if that is it for him.

Of course we have lots of slobber but that doesn't explain it being on their belly. My older dog is not big on cleaning herself. <--- That is why she needs frequent baths. Smelly. The puppy has to get them rather frequently too b/c he is a poop eater .... a very messy poop eater (gets it all over his legs, etc).

I may try some coat whitener shampoo. But does anyone know what would happen if I get the whitener shampoo on nonwhite hair?

OneWolvesDream · Super Senior Member Joined: 10 Apr 2004 Posts: 1175

hmm, does anyone know how well that stuff really works?

Sarge'smom · Senior Member Joined: 21 May 2004 Posts: 700

check my earlier post for that website- It gives a lot of advice on coat whitening and these are from people who show dogs so maybe they have already done the homework for you.

OneWolvesDream · Super Senior Member Joined: 10 Apr 2004 Posts: 1175

lol, thanks.

btw can i steal ur avatar. lol. jk.

Sarge'smom · Senior Member Joined: 21 May 2004 Posts: 700

I suppose I can share... the avatar that is!

OneWolvesDream · Super Senior Member Joined: 10 Apr 2004 Posts: 1175

haha lol. but you have nothing else to share, me on the other hand i have but im not going to. lol.

Samsintentions · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 4505 Location: Texas

I called a groomer, she said most dog foods have red dye in them. When the dogs eat it, they of course pick up the dye! DUH

Then they lick them selves, spreading the coloration.....

If your area is has Iron ore in the ground, not necessarily a large ammount, then that in turn will also turn your dogs colored.